ABYSSINIA'S PERIL

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 91, 14 October 1935, Page 9

ABYSSINIA'S PERIL

TRIBAL DEFECTIONS

SIGNAL INSTANCE IN NORTH

(By S.R.Q.)

The defection of Ras Haile Selassie Gougsa, son-in-law of the Emperor, and Ras Kassa Araia, with 12,000 followers, fully armed, to the Italians, announced on Saturday afternoon and confirmed today, illustrates a factor in a campaign against half-savage races which most people would bo apt to ignore. The natural assumption that sir in-

habitants of Abyssinia would rally to the defence of their country overlooks the fact that Abyssinia has never in its long history been a united nation. One authority on Abyssinia states' that the country throughout its history has been merely a conglomeration of pr vinces and districts, illdefined, loosely connected, '• and generally at war with each other. The chief provinces are Tigre (northern), Amhara (central), ■ and Shoa (southern). The seat of Government has usually been in Amhara as it is now. The whole history of the country is described as one gloomy record of internecine wars, with, at long intervals, beneficent rulers who for a time have managed to extend their influence over more than one province. All the Emperors seem to have had to fight their way to the throne or at some time or another to have had to fight to keep it All seem to base their claims on direct descent from Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, but, it is said, their success, in most cases, has been more due to force of arms than purity of lineage.

Despite the feuds and jealousies of rival chieftains always latent in Abyssinia, the country has only once been successfully invaded and that was by the British force in 1868 under Sir Robert Napier when Magdala was reached. There was practically no fighting because the Emperor Theodore, whose rule had become very oppressive, was deserted by all but his own tribal followers. In this case the British forces were looked on as liberators. But later when the Egyptians invaded Abyssinia, in 1875 and 1876, they were heavily defeated by the forces under King John, who ten years later drove out the dervishes also. It is from this King John, his great-grandfather, that Has Gougsa traces his claim to the throne of Abyssinia as "the only legitimate descendant of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba." It is shrewd policy on. "the part of the' Italians to exploit this ■ claim and put forward Gougsa as a puppet "Emperor of Ethiopia," as the i Japanese did in Manchuria by making ■ Mr. Henry Puyi Emperor of Manchukuo. ' •

Haile Selassie, the present ruler of Abyssinia, is a son 'of Ras Makonnen, of Harrar, one of Menelek's ablest lieutenants, who died in 1906. After the banishment of Lij Yasu in 1916 Haile Selassie, then Ras Taffari Makonnen, became Regent to the Empress Zauditu. On her death he , was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930. It was rather to be expected in Abyssinia that the ambitions of other claimants would await an opportunity for expression. ,

It seems clear then that Has Gougsa, who on Thursday last was reported in the cable news as "actually fifty miles inside the Eritrean border with 15,000 men" and Ras Kassa, who was said to be "hastening to the relief of Aksum," were on a very different mission from that of a raid on communications. Further desertions to the j Italians'are now reported and more still are said to be in contemplation. These are by inhabitants of Tyre, who have always been jealous of Amhara. Diplomatic success of this kind will1 do much to facilitate the Italian advance. The Italian line is said to extend now between a point 12 miles east of Adigrat to 8 miles north of Aksum. It is manned by 60,000 troops. It is recognised at Asmara, the Italian headquarters, that the main Abyssinian resistance so far has been barely felt. Makale, .the centre of the Tigre Province, probably the next objective in the.ltalian attack, is said now to lack communication with Addis Ababa.

The Crown Prince of Abyssinia is reported to be massing an army of defence further south at Sakota. The reports from the southern front in Ogaden indicate that'heavy fighting has been taking place and a decisive battle is imminent. : . ■